According to a 2022 survey on pet ownership by Rakuten Insight, 33% of Singaporean respondents stated they own at least one pet. However, keeping a pet in Singapore is not a simple matter; it’s much more troublesome than in China. To avoid endless trouble from a momentary impulse, we need to go through the following checklist item by item to determine if you are suitable to own a pet.
Table of Contents
I. Which Pets Can Be Kept in Singapore?
When keeping a pet in Singapore, you must first understand which breeds are prohibited. Most common breeds of dogs, rabbits, and guinea pigs are allowed, while undomesticated species such as birds of prey, reptiles, amphibians, and non-human primates cannot be kept as pets in Singapore. Additionally, animals that may disrupt community harmony, such as poultry, are also banned.
Furthermore, as a “fine city,” Singapore has very strict laws and enforcement regarding prohibited pets, so it’s advisable not to cross the red line. The rules pet owners must follow vary depending on the type of housing they live in. In comparison, pet owners living in HDB flats face stricter rules, while those in private residences have relatively more freedom.
Below is an incomplete list of pet breeds that can be kept in Singapore.
Dogs
If you are a private property owner (e.g., an owner of a private condominium), you can keep up to 3 pet dogs. If you are renting, you must get the landlord’s consent before getting a pet.
According to the National Parks Board/Animal & Veterinary Service (NParks/AVS), you can keep up to one large dog from the scheduled list, provided you meet the relevant licensing conditions.
If you live in an HDB flat, you will face stricter restrictions on dog breeds. HDB provides a list of 62 small dog breeds approved for keeping in HDB flats. At any time, you can only keep one dog from this list. Moreover, the pet dog must be shorter than 40cm and weigh less than 10kg.
Keeping more than one approved breed of dog in an HDB flat, or keeping a dog not on this list, may result in a fine of up to S$4,000.
If you live in an HDB flat, it is very difficult to keep a large dog or a mixed-breed dog. Local stray dogs in Singapore are mostly mixed-breeds, and animal welfare groups have named them “Singapore Specials.” There is a program in Singapore called Project ADORE (ADOption & REhoming) that allows loving families to adopt a Singapore Special. HDB residents can adopt small to medium-sized Singapore Specials that are no taller than 50cm and weigh less than 15kg.
Cats
If you live in a private residence, there are no restrictions on keeping a cat as a pet. However, cats are not allowed in HDB flats. Although this may be difficult for cat lovers to understand and accept, due to their nature, cats tend to roam, shed, and make noise, and may urinate in public areas, all of which can cause problems for community residents.
If you are found keeping a cat in an HDB flat, HDB may ask you to rehome the cat. If discovered a second time, you may be fined up to S$4,000.
Of course, there are exceptions. HDB has special teams that conduct spot checks on households. If HDB determines that you are a responsible cat owner, you may be allowed to continue keeping your cat in the HDB flat. Being responsible mainly involves two things: ensuring windows and doors are secured to keep the cat inside, and neutering the cat.
Small Mammals
Small mammals that can be kept as pets in Singapore include: rabbits, guinea pigs, hamsters, chinchillas, gerbils, and degus.
Reptiles and Amphibians
Permitted species include: red-eared sliders, green tree frogs, and land hermit crabs.
Fish
Generally, most pet fish can be kept in HDB flats and private residences in Singapore. Prohibited fish species include: manta rays, sawfish, and seahorses.
Birds
Ornamental birds can be kept in both HDB flats and private residences, provided that:
- They are not protected wildlife species, including hornbills and owls.
- They are not “street birds” — AVS regulations make it illegal to keep “street birds” (such as house crows, mynahs, and pigeons) as pets. Individuals can only keep pigeons with a license. If caught keeping pigeons without a license, they may face a fine of up to S$500 and confiscation of the birds.
Here’s a side note: feeding pigeons is illegal in Singapore! According to Singapore’s “Animals and Birds (Pigeons) Rules,” feeding pigeons can result in a fine of up to S$500. The reason is that pigeon droppings can spread various diseases. Singapore encourages the public to report people who feed pigeons. This applies not just to feeding pigeons in public squares, but even placing a bird feeder on a private balcony can result in a fine!
Chickens
Owners of private residences can keep up to 10 chickens on their own land. However, the chickens must be kept in a coop or enclosure.
HDB residents are strictly prohibited from keeping chickens as pets.
Exotic Species
For various reasons, including public safety and animal welfare, Singapore prohibits keeping certain exotic species as pets, such as: hedgehogs, iguanas, tarantulas, scorpions, star tortoises, snakes, salamanders, sugar gliders, and slow lorises.
Under the Wildlife Act, if you keep such wild animals as pets in Singapore without authorization, a first-time offense can result in a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 6 months. If the wild animal is considered a protected wildlife species, such as the spiny turtle and the blue-rumped parrot, the penalty can be a fine of up to S$50,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
II. How to Legally Keep a Pet?
- Purchase or adopt pets from legal channels
Singapore places great emphasis on responsible pet adoption and purchase. You can adopt or buy from pet shops and pet organizations that meet the welfare standards set by AVS. In other words, you cannot purchase animals from platforms that are not approved or licensed to sell animals. For example, selling or buying animals on Carousell is not allowed.
In Singapore, AVS regulates all pet shops and pet organizations to ensure animal welfare. To operate legally, all pet shops must go through a lengthy process to obtain a license, which includes mandatory training for staff in pet welfare and animal management.
Here is a complete list of AVS-accredited pet shops for your reference.
- License your dog
In Singapore, all pet dogs must be licensed. The purpose of this is to track any possible infectious animal diseases, such as rabies. (Singapore has completely eradicated rabies, but related control efforts have never ceased.)
You can license your dog through AVS’s “Pet Animal Licensing System (PALS)“.
All pet businesses in Singapore must ensure that dogs are registered before selling them and transfer the license ownership to the new owner through PALS. Pet owners must also notify AVS when they resell or give away their dog. Failure to do so can result in a fine of up to S$5,000.
III. What Responsibilities Come with Owning a Pet in Singapore?
Clean up your dog’s waste
In Singapore, it is very important to be a responsible pet owner. If you fail to clean up your dog’s waste promptly while walking it, you can be fined up to S$1,000 for a first offense.
To maintain public cleanliness and hygiene, it is recommended to carry plastic bags with you when walking your dog. You may also need to bring a water bottle to wash away any residue or stains on the ground.
Leash your dog when walking
For the safety of the dog and the public, dogs must be leashed when being walked. Walking a dog without a leash is illegal, with a penalty of up to S$5,000.
Large dogs, as mentioned above, such as Bulldogs, Dobermans, and German Shepherds, must be muzzled in public areas. Failure to muzzle a dog as required can result in a fine of up to S$5,000 for a first offense, and up to S$10,000 for subsequent offenses. If your dog bites or attempts to bite someone, it may face euthanasia.
Ensure your pet does not inconvenience others
Singapore has a relatively friendly environment for pets, which is built on a foundation of good pet owner awareness. The public generally does not hold hostility towards pets. However, pet owners must be mindful of comforting their pets to prevent excessive barking, excretion in public places, harassing or bumping into pedestrians, chasing vehicles, etc. Additionally, pet owners must never allow their dogs to become strays. Otherwise, the dog owner’s pet license may be revoked or not renewed.
IV. Pet Protection Laws in Singapore
Treat your pets well
As a pet owner, you have a responsibility to care for your pet. Inappropriate care may constitute an act of animal cruelty. In Singapore, animal cruelty is divided into two main categories:
Animal Cruelty
If you cause any unnecessary physical or psychological suffering to your pet, you may be convicted of animal cruelty. Acts of cruelty include hitting, kicking, torturing, or intimidating them.
For a first offense, you may be fined up to S$15,000 and/or imprisoned for up to 18 months. Subsequent offenses will result in a fine of up to S$30,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 3 years.
Animal Abandonment
Failure to properly care for a pet may be considered negligence or abandonment. Abandoning a pet can result in a fine of up to S$10,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 12 months. Repeat offenses will result in a fine of up to S$20,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 2 years.
Those who abuse animals may also receive a court-issued removal order, where any animals owned by them will be taken away, and they will be banned from owning any other animals for up to 12 months.
V. Pet-Friendly Neighborhoods
Overall, Singapore is a pet-friendly country, but renting (or buying) a house with a pet always requires multiple considerations. When considering the most suitable pet-friendly neighborhoods to live in, we think about: Does the landlord allow pets? What are the daily responsibilities of living with a pet? Are there places for the pet to walk or nearby parks to play in? What places are pets not allowed? These are all points to consider for a pet-friendly community. Without further ado, we have listed some pet-friendly neighborhoods for your reference.
Tiong Bahru
Pet owners sometimes have to compromise on their social life to take care of their pets, or endure separation from their furry friends on weekends. However, living in the Tiong Bahru neighborhood allows you to spend maximum time with your pet. This area has a large number of restaurants that allow pets, so your weekend brunch or dinner dates can be accompanied by your furry child. Additionally, Tiong Bahru has a large number of studio apartments, which will surely be appreciated by those who have pets but do not want to share an apartment.
River Valley
River Valley and Robertson Quay are favorite spots for foreigners, offering beautiful views of the Singapore River and being within walking distance of countless cafes, bars, and restaurants—who wouldn’t want to live in this neighborhood?
For families with pets, there’s an extra bonus: you can walk your dog along Robertson Quay. Fort Canning Park is just a short 1 km away, making it a classic dog-walking route.
Joo Chiat, Katong
As a leisure destination in Singapore, the East is a great place to have pets. Public places like East Coast Park or Changi Beach provide all the conveniences for families with pets and children, including various restaurants, entertainment, and cultural and leisure activities.
Jalan Besar and Lavender
These are two hidden gem neighborhoods, and the convenience of having pets here is greatly underestimated. Anyone with a pet will love the comprehensive pet services—animal hospices, pet bakeries, pet grooming salons, and of course, various pet-friendly cafes and restaurants.
City Centre, Marina Bay Sands
You and your furry friend will surely love the endless convenience and social opportunities here. You can go for a walk in Gardens by the Bay or have a picnic at Marina Barrage. Pet-friendly cafes and restaurants offer the most comfortable and modern enjoyment.
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